U.S. Vice President JD Vance has canceled a potential visit to Israel that was preliminarily scheduled for Tuesday, amid growing international concern over Israel’s renewed military offensive in Gaza.
Vance, who was in Rome on Sunday after attending the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV, had been expected to travel to Israel following U.S. notification to Israeli officials on Saturday. Reports of the planned visit quickly emerged in the Israeli press.
However, on Monday, Vance's office announced that the trip had been called off, citing “logistical” reasons. According to a report by Axios, the cancellation was, in fact, driven by concerns over Israel's latest offensive in Gaza. The Israeli government has stated publicly that the renewed military operation is intended to secure full control over the Gaza Strip and forcibly relocate the population of northern Gaza to the south.
A U.S. official, speaking to Axios, said Vance canceled the visit to avoid sending a message that the Trump administration was endorsing the new offensive, especially as Washington is currently seeking a ceasefire in the conflict. Vance was reportedly concerned that his presence in Israel would be interpreted by both Israeli leaders and regional powers as tacit support for an operation that has resulted in the deaths of at least 500 people since last Thursday.
The cancellation marks another indication of the Trump administration's gradual shift away from the staunchly pro-Israel stance that defined both the Biden administration and the early phase of Trump’s second term in office.
In March, the Trump administration had backed Israel's decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza and publicly stated that it had given Israel the "green light" to abandon a ceasefire agreement and resume military operations in the territory. The administration had also previously engaged in unprecedented direct talks with Hamas.
More recently, however, the administration has adopted a more measured approach to the region. It halted U.S. airstrikes in Yemen—previously conducted in support of Israel—resumed negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program despite longstanding tensions, and President Trump has publicly called for the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
On Sunday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israeli media attributed the decision to mounting pressure from the United States.